The Election Commission on Thursday turned down a request from the BJP to extend the last date for filing of nominations for Assembly polls in Mizoram, which is to be held on November 28. “The decision has been taken as per rules and court directives, which do not allow for extending the nomination process beyond the mandated seven days. The Calcutta High Court, in connection with the panchayat polls in West Bengal, had earlier quashed the State EC’s notification extending the last date for filing of nominations,” said an official.

The BJP had sought the extension citing protests by local NGOs against the State’s Chief Electoral Officer. However, the Commission said the request was not “acceded to on account of peace and normalcy in the State today”.